The National Organization for Marriage
(NOM) insists Assemblyman David Weprin's support for gay marriage
doomed his House bid.
The nation's most vociferous opponent
of gay marriage spent $75,000 to ensure Ninth Congressional District
voters knew that Weprin voted in favor of making New York the sixth
state to legalize gay marriage.
Republican Bob Turner won Tuesday's
special election to replace former New York Rep. Anthony D. Weiner,
who resigned in June as a result of a sexting scandal.
While both candidates said they did not
believe the election hinged on social issues, NOM is making certain
it got its money's worth, releasing on Wednesday a survey that showed
Turner supporters don't back gay marriage.
“This survey demonstrates what many
people have been saying for a long time – David Weprin's vote in
favor of same-sex marriage cost him the election to the U.S. House,”
said NOM President Brian Brown. “NOM funded a major independent
expenditure campaign in this race and the survey shows that marriage
was a major factor in the race and cost Weprin the election.”
The survey found that 44 percent of
respondents who oppose gay marriage said it was a factor in their
vote.
“All you have to do is look at David
Weprin's shocking loss to Bob Turner to understand that voting for
same-sex marriage has consequences,” Brown said.